The Gamble pays off!

British Formula Three driver Tom Gamble has won the highly coveted McLaren Autosport BRDC Award at Autosport Awards held at the swanky Grosvenor House London.

Motorsport got to put its party frock on last night, 2nd December 2018, as all the glitz and glam arrived in Central London for the Autosport Awards. The annual event dishes out top gongs to an array of drivers and teams across the whole of the sport.

Tom Gamble – who finished the 2018 BRDC British F3 season in fifth and who was the highest placed Brit – was one of two Britsh F3 names in the hat to scoop the award. Carlin driver Jamie Caroline was also on the shortlist, along with British F4 champion Kiern Jewiss and Formula Renault Eurocup winner Max Fewtrell.

With superb performances this season for all four drivers, the quartet underwent simulator and fitness tests at Silverstone at the end of October, as well as tests on a MSV Formula 2 Car, Ligier LMP3 and McLaren 650S GT3 with everyone knowing what was at stake.

As if that wasn’t enough, the foursome then faced interviews with a very prestigious judging panel, which included former BRDC President Derek Warwick, BTCC legend Jason Plato, former McLaren designer Mark Williams, 1997 award winner Andrew Kirkaldy, McLaren’s Amelia Lewis, commentator Ian Titchmarsh and Autosport’s Kevin Turner and Scott Mitchell.

The McLaren Autosport BRDC Award is one of the most prestigious awards in motorsport, and one which is seen as a springboard to the top. Recent winners George Russell and Lando Norris have both scooped F1 race seats for 2019.

Image Credit: British F3 Website

However it was Gamble who dazzled on the night – almost as much as Toto Wolff’s trousers! – and the Fortec driver was over the moon. “I can’t believe it,” said the Brit. “It’s been a dream since a kid to win it. I’m lost for words. Two of the best days of my life at Silverstone driving three mega cars and the experience and skills I learned…I can’t thank everyone involved enough.”

The prize? …Boy, it’s a good one: Gamble will be on the McLaren payroll as a simulator driver, join the team’s fitness programme, and, the icing on the cake, drive a McLaren F1 car. Full BRDC membership and an Arai GP-6 RC carbon helmet are also thrown in for good measure. That’s Christmas sorted!

A career–changing prize…

Overtake would like to congratulate Tom and indeed all the other nominees.